NorthPoint - May, 2012

Blessed and refreshed by Eighteen+ Camp

Around 200 young people attended the Eighteen+ Camp, held from 6 to 11 April at the campground at Stuarts Point. Numbers grew to around 260 people for the Sabbath program, with young people attending from around North New South Wales (NNSW), and a few attending from the South Queensland and Greater Sydney Conferences. Eighteen+ attendees brought their own tents or vans, keeping the set-up for the camp simple.

Matthew Gamble was the guest speaker for the meetings, which were held in the Connections Tent. The tent was divided into two sections for worship and a cafe.

Pastor Jeff Parker, Director of Youth Ministries for the NNSW Conference, says, “The response to Matthew’s talks was very positive — we had a number of youth who have requested baptism as well, and this is being followed up by pastors.”

The theme for Eighteen+ was Jesus Christ’s crucifixion and how that impacts our lives in the present. Pastor Parker says, “Over Easter, we looked at the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus. On the Sunday morning, we had a sunrise service on the beach at 5.45am, which celebrated the resurrection. Other meetings looked at how the early church was filled with the Spirit and moved forward — and how that can impact us.”

Each morning, Matthew provided a practical series on how to “Reboot your spiritual life.” Topics covered how to pray, really study the Bible and get involved in a spiritual retreat. “Matt led us twice a day in opening the Word,” says Pastor Parker. “This camp was such a Holy Spirit-led event. Many lives were impacted for Jesus Christ over the six days, and so many of our youth personally stated that it was life-changing event.”

NNSW Conference General Secretary Pastor Paul Geelan spent a day at the Eighteen+ Camp, and was involved in a “Q and A” session. The young people could ask him any question about the NNSW Conference. After this, Pastor Geelan was surrounded by around 100 young people who laid hands on him, praying for a blessing over the conference’s leadership and his personal life. Pastor Geelan says, “The young people gave some frank and honest feedback on their experiences with church and baptism, and wanted to know how they can be involved in cooperating with the conference to move God’s work forward in this part of the world. It was a wonderful opportunity to dialogue with our future church, and I really appreciated their passion, commitment and prayers.”

As well as the spiritual side, attendees also took part in other activities, including a full day on the water on the Sunday. This featured water-skiing and a 15-metre-long water obstacle course. The camp was a fill-in for 2012 due to the pared-back nature of this year’s Family Camp. “Next year we go back to the same Big Camp cycle with the rest of the conference in April 2013,” says Pastor Parker. — Adele Nash/Jeff Parker

Page 2: From the President: A stranger called “Discipline”

Page 3: Adventist Singles enjoy weekend at Yarrahapinni

Page 4: Manifest sets the mood: Creatives connect at art festival

Page 11: Jo Darby: An ADRA Connections story

Sunset at Catherine Hill Bay

OUR CONFERENCE

From the President: A stranger called “Discipline”

Rex Hunt, the famous VFL footballer and host of his own fishing show, recently related how his teenage years were the toughest of his life. Bullied at school, overweight and the brunt of schoolyard jokes, he would sit at the back of the class as school dunce — unable to even play sport.

Then in 1963, Rex Hunt joined the police force and, in his words, he met a stranger called “discipline.” Within a few years, he played in a football grand final.

In spiritual terms, the practice of a discipline leads to habits that can transform your life. Jesus had some very important spiritual disciplines that kept Him focused and in touch with His Father.

Ken Blanchard identifies five spiritual disciplines in the life of Jesus. The first and most important was spending time alone with God. Solitude is not something easy to find for busy people, but if Jesus needed it, how much more do we?

The second is spending time in prayer. Talking to God is as fundamental to getting to know Him as it is with any other relationship. If you don’t talk, you don’t grow together.

The third spiritual discipline found in the life of Jesus was storing up the Word of God. Memorising Scripture prepares us to meet the challenges or temptations that life can throw at us (see Matthew 4:4-10). This is something that you carry as a secret source of power.

The fourth discipline was that of trusting in God’s unconditional love. Having confidence in God’s love for each of us has a power that enables you to do great things. Faith is best described as trust.

The last of the five spiritual disciplines in Jesus life was involvement in accountability relationship. I have to say that this one is so easy to neglect in the superficial, modern world. We can have many friends, but most of these will be shallow relationships. Who will hold you accountable? Sharing vulnerability, receiving support and being held to account is the reason for this type of relationship. May God open our eyes to the essential nature of these spiritual disciplines.

— Pastor Justin Lawman

“Around The Traps,” a weekly e-newsletter from the North New South Wales Conference President Pastor Justin Lawman, is available to subscribe to. If you would like to join the mailing list, please email northpoint@adventist.org.au with the words “E-newsletter subscription” in the subject line.

OUR CONFERENCE

Conferences for Children’s Ministries leaders “Ignite” and inspire a “Home Grown” vision

Children’s Ministries leaders from around the North New South Wales (NNSW) Conference were recently trained at two great Children’s Ministries conferences. Greater Sydney and NNSW conferences combined on the weekend of 17 to 20 February for the “Home Grown” training weekend, held at Epping in Sydney.

The weekend began on the Friday night with a presentation from Paul O’Rourke, author of the book Why Satan Hates our Kids. Paul painted a picture of what is happening to our children, even in Australia.

He said that in Australia 90,000 babies are aborted every year (the majority just because they are an inconvenience); one in 10 children live in poverty; one million children live with the reality of their parents divorce; one in five children will experience some form of abuse and neglect before adulthood; and adults are targeting children with products, images and messages that promote a premature and harmful interest in sex.

Paul made a strong case for families and churches to come together to protect children and advocate for children in the community.

On the Sabbath, conference attendees joined with “Kids Reach” for their annual conference at the Wesley Mission in the city of Sydney. Their theme was “Inspire,” with the focus on mentoring to make a difference in the lives of children. Julie Weslake, Director of Children’s Ministries for the South Pacific Division, and Pastor Daron Pratt, Director of Children’s Ministries for the NNSW Conference, both gave presentations at various workshops on the day, and their articles were published in the conference book, Inspire, which was given to delegates on the day.

The Sunday saw a return to the “Home Grown” conference for specialised workshops, which related to the “Home Grown” vision of the Children’s Ministries departments, and a focus on the Gracelink curriculum, which is the children’s Sabbath School curriculum of the Seventh-day Adventist Church.

Pastor Pratt comments, “It was great to see two conferences combining resources to

equip Children’s Ministries leaders with a vision of collaboration between the home and church to reach and disciple our children and families.”

Children’s Ministry leaders from the northern end of NNSW also joined with their Queensland counterparts to go to the “Ignite” expo in Brisbane on Saturday, 3 March. Julie and Pastor Pratt presented workshops once again and the whole day was devoted to equipping Children’s Ministries leaders and teams with skills and resources to inspire their work with children.

One of the more memorable quotes from the conference speaker Sue Carpenter was, “We need to make sure that our children are free to dream. . . . We need to treat children with respect and honour for their destiny, not their current location.”

— Daron Pratt/NorthPoint writers

Adventist Singles enjoy Easter weekend at Yarrahapinni

Yarrahapinni Ecology Centre at Grassy Heads played host to 36 people who gathered for the 2012 Adventist Singles Easter Retreat. Most of the attendees came from the South Queensland Conference, with others from the Greater Sydney and North New South Wales (NNSW) Conferences. Lynelda Tippo, Director of Adventist Singles Ministry for the NNSW Conference, says, “I was very pleased with Haydee Meunier and her team, who worked very hard to bring us this retreat.”

The theme for the retreat was “Waiting,” and Lynelda says, “I thought this was very appropriate for our group of people.” Pastor Roger Vince was the guest speaker for the retreat, with his wife Denise also joining the group for the weekend. Lyndelda says his presentations were very relevant for his audience. “Pastor Vince spoke on some very important issues, and all found his talks greatly insightful at his workshops.”

The Friday night of the Easter Retreat featured an agape feast. Pastor Vince asked each of the attendees to serve one another and to do it in silence. Lyndelda says, “Somehow, it made the mealtime a time of reverence as we reflected on what Christ had done for us. Pastor Vince then asked us to stand around the table where the bread and wine was placed, and he led us into the service of the agape feast.”

Pastor Vince took the Sabbath service, and this was followed by an afternoon nature walk to the beach. Attendees of the retreat also took part in a game of Psalms charades. The group was divided into four smaller groups, and each had to act out Psalms for the others to guess which one was being enacted. A talent night was held on Saturday night, which was enjoyed by participants and presenters alike.

On the Sunday, a group of attendees went with Pastor Vince and his wife to South West Rocks, and visited the old goal before sharing a picnic lunch. Sunday night featured a country and western social evening, with karaoke a highlight.

Lynelda says of the Easter Retreat, “I’ve heard people say that this camp was different from others because they really felt the presence of the Holy Spirit amongst us. They were given an opportunity to share their testimonies. People were praying for one another, especially for those who were hurting. They felt closeness with each other as brothers and sisters in Christ.

“There was also an appreciation for the flowers and candles, which brought specialness to the camp. And of course, the attendees loved the food that was prepared and served by Annette Lamplough and her team.”

Further Singles Ministry events are planned for 2012. Announcements will be made in the NorthPoint Bulletin regarding them.

— Lynelda Tippo/Adele Nash

From left to right: Julie Weslake, Director of Children’s Ministries for the South Pacific Division; Paul O’Rourke; Pastor Daron Pratt, Director of Children’s Ministries and Family Ministries for the North New South Wales Conference; and Pastor Brendan Pratt, Director of Children’s Ministries, Stewardship and Discipleship for the Greater Sydney Conference.

OUR CONFERENCE

Manifest sets the mood: Creatives connect at arts festival

“Mother Nature” added poignancy to the presentation at a Seventh-day Adventist arts festival of an award honouring a pioneering filmmaker.

Floods prevented Gabe Reynaud Award recipient Dr Robert Wolfgramm from attending the eponymous ceremony in Avondale College Adventist Church, held on 1 March. The ceremony closed the second annual Manifest Creative Arts Festival.

Robert travelled from Suva to Nadi to fly out of Fiji, but rising water prevented access to the airport. He found accommodation with an uncle on a nearby hill. Genna Levitch, a friend of Dr Wolfgramm’s who accepted the award, used the scene as an analogy of Dr Wolfgramm’s life — as an “enigmatic” composer and writer who pioneered contemporary Christian music, and who serves as editor-in-chief of the Fiji Daily Post and of the New Fijian Translation Bible. “[Robert]’s been marginalised for his work, but remains dedicated to his art and his God,” said Associate Professor Daniel Reynaud, Dean of the Faculty of Arts and Theology at Avondale College of Higher Education, during the reading of the citation. “We who follow stand on his shoulders.”

The award and ceremony honours Daniel’s brother, an Avondale alumnus and former Adventist Media Centre senior producer, who became the church’s first professionally-trained director.

Manifest, coordinated by the church in the South Pacific through Adventist Media Network and host Avondale College, celebrates and encourages the production of creative arts for ministry. The focus this year: filmmaking, fine arts, song composition and writing. Manifest received a record 74 entries across five competitions and offered up to $1000 for winners.

Artist and designer Shelley Poole won the new Avondale Fine Arts Prize for her painting Formed Out Of The Earth/Birth. For the first time, two recipients shared a prize: teacher Nathan Dalton and current and former Avondale students Josh Bolst, Nick Lindsay and Josh Hamilton won the Hope Channel Prize for their films Love: Loss and The Great Controversy. Jason Cook and Lisa Holland from Tasmanian-based music ministry Firesong won the new Institute of Worship Prize for their song “Love Eternally.” Lucy Richardson and Steele McMahon, both students at Brisbane Adventist College, won the Psalter Music Prize for “The Just For The Unjust.” Avondale arts student Sara Thompson won the Signs Publishing Company Prize for her poem “The Least.” Anna Beaden, an Avondale arts and teaching student, won the Avondale Young Achiever Prize for a song — “God Chose You” — she submitted on the closing day. Artist and inaugural Gabe Reynaud Award recipient Joanna Darby, whose exhibition opened the festival, presented the charge. She noted the similar roles of artists and prophets, describing them as having the “shared privilege of knocking on the doors of people’s souls.”

Academic and writer Dr Andy Nash, a professor in the School of Journalism and Communication at Southern Adventist University (Collegedale, Tennessee, USA), brought balance, noting during his sermon earlier in the day how God responds to people when they begin worshiping the work of their own hands. His advice: give up your dreams. “Are we willing to entrust what we love most to God’s refining fire?” he asked.

Manifest also featured an academic lecture, at which Dr Nash, author of the spiritual memoir Paper God, spoke of the art of telling true stories, and the screening of the contemporary Christian music mockumentary Jesus People. Paul Kim, a senior producer at Adventist Media Productions (Simi Valley, California, USA), presented the screening and another of the best short films from the church in North America’s SONscreen Film Festival, of which he is executive director.

Author Karen Collum joined Joanna, Paul and Dr Nash for a panel discussion about faithful creativity then put her theories into practice by reading from her children’s book Fish Don’t Need Snorkels during the worship service.

At a seminar later in the day, Dr Nash reflected on his experience as an assistant editor for Adventist Review, of which he is now a columnist, and as editor of Adventist Today. He defined himself as a liberal at the former and as a conservative at the latter. His challenge: for these groups to meet more often at the text. “Scripture is my final authority,” he said.

— Brenton Stacey

Cooranbong-based artist and designer Shelley Poole gives her speech after winning the Avondale College of Higher Education Fine Arts Prize at Manifest.

Credit: Ben Beaden

Artist and inaugural Gabe Reynaud Award recipient Joanna Darby, floundering in a sea of colour at the launch of her exhibition.

Credit: Cameron Fletcher

Iron+Clay, celebrating its 20th year of ministry, closed the Gabe Reynaud Awards. The vocal band has mentored more than 170 young musicians and released five albums.

Credit: Ben Topp

OUR CONFERENCE

ADRA responds to flooding in Fiji

Tropical Cyclone Daphne caused severe flooding at the end of March and beginning of April in Fiji, impacting towns and villages around the nation. The floods destroyed homes, crops, roads and bridges, and caused havoc for international and domestic transport. At least five people were killed by the floods, and 11,000 people had to move into shelters. These were the second major floods for 2012 in Fiji. More than 2600 people affected by the flooding received emergency food packs thanks to the Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA).

“ADRA was called to meet the urgent needs of those placed in evacuation centres,” said Chris Olafson, Director of Emergency Management, ADRA Australia. “Over the weekend [of the floods], ADRA staff delivered 214 packs, which provide families with enough rice, tuna, split peas and other essentials to last a fortnight. Another 376 were delivered in the following days and the ongoing needs of the community will be monitored so we can continue this potentially life-saving response.”

There were also major water and electricity disruptions throughout many parts of the Western Division, which was most affected by the floods. This impacted more than 150,000 people. Flooding in some low-lying areas was more than two metres deep. Earlier this year ADRA assisted more than 12,000 people who were affected by the previous floods in Fiji.

The Fiji Mission is a sister conference to the North New South Wales Conference (NNSW). “Fiji is a very Christian nation, and that’s ingrained in their culture,” says Pastor Justin Lawman, President of the NNSW Conference. “They don’t have a lot of material wealth, so an event like this can really have a devastating impact. The people in Fiji are beautiful, kind people and we remember our brothers and sisters in prayer as they recover from these devastating floods.”

— Braden Blyde/Adele Nash

To support the response in Fiji, and ADRA Australia’s ongoing Emergency Management work around the world, please give to the Disaster Preparedness and Response fund online or by calling 1800 242 372.

To read more about ADRA’s response to the Fiji floods, visit www.adra.org.au or http://adra.org.nz/fiji-escaping-the-floods-waters-kavanagasau.

Dr Andy Nash reflected on his experience as an assistant editor for Adventist Review and as editor of Adventist Today. He defined himself as a liberal at the former and as a conservative at the latter. His challenge: for these groups to meet more often at the text.“Scripture is my final authority,” he said.

Credit: Ben Beaden

Avondale vocal ensemble The Promise performs by candlelight during an Earth Hour-themed 7.28.

Credit: Ben Beaden

Avondale College of Higher Education students Josh Bolst and Josh Hamilton, along with former student Nick Lindsay, shared the Hope Channel Prize for best film with Nathan Dalton, a teacher at Central Coast Adventist School.

Credit: Ann Stafford

Daphne Kennedy, wife of the late Morriss Kennedy, comments during an unveiling ceremony on her husband’s artistic and personal life.

Credit: Sara Thompson

OUR YOUTH “I Will Share Jesus”

It was January and a blanket of darkness had crept over the night sky as the rain relentlessly pelted the ground. I was leaving the next morning for a three-week mission trip to Papua New Guinea (PNG), and I should have been using my time to pray for the safety of those involved, as well as the mission’s success. Instead, I chose to watch hilarious online videos. God had a different plan — one that would redirect my thoughts to something far greater than my selfish desire to be amused.

While surfing the ‘net for laughs, I stumbled across www.preachingplace. com. It featured a video called “I Will Preach For Jesus,” which showed Seventh-day Adventist youth in London singing and preaching on the streets, while witnessing to random people by sharing their testimonies. Instead of finding a video to make me laugh, I was shown a film that brought me to tears. The tears came for two reasons. First, I felt rebuked for my own lack of conviction when I should have been preparing for a mission trip, but then I was overwhelmed with a sense of purpose and value as I realised that I was a Seventh-day Adventist youth as well.

This meant that I had a connection to that small remnant group of young people who were on the other side of the world in England as they sacrificed their Saturday night to God by sharing the Gospel and planting seeds. With that in mind, I posted the video to a few friends on Facebook to see if they would like to try something similar in Australia.

After being away for three weeks in PNG, I arrived home to find that my friends had not only seen the video, but they had displayed their own initiative, and were already collecting books and materials to share on the streets. After a few meetings and prayers together, we had a plan to share Jesus with Sydney. Thanks to Kyle Morrison, we were able to get written council approval, which came in handy as security did come tell us to stop. Because of the written approval, we were able to keep witnessing.

Through social networking and the Holy Spirit, the idea grew into a movement and “I Will Share Jesus” was born. On 24 March, more than 80 people dressed in red met together at Avondale College to prepare to share through prayer. The group then travelled to Circular Quay where 80 people grew to 110 as we met with other church members, and thanks to Autumn Leaves as well as other donors, we proceeded to share Christian literature and evangelistic DVDs to anyone we met that night on the streets for the first hour.

Afterward, the group met together at a designated spot and had a choir singing hymns as members of The Preaching Place Australia were street preaching from soap boxes. The Preaching Place Australia had six guys come up from Melbourne for the event. It was so refreshing to see young people on fire for Jesus, willing to sacrifice their time and finances to share their Saviour with people they have never met — all because of the simple belief that everyone is a child of God and Jesus is not willing that even one should perish.

On the train ride home, I realised this was not just a one-and-done event, but an end-time movement that God has been orchestrating for such a time as this. There is something amazing happening within young people’s hearts, and a plan has been set to reach every major city in Australia during 2012 as plans have already been made for Brisbane in April, Newcastle in May, and Perth in July. So instead of just watching online videos about things happening around us, let us rise up and be part of the change needed to fulfil Matthew 24:14. If you desire to be a part of the final movement, find us at www.IWSJ.org and get involved with the planning of an event in a city near you.

— Blake Penland

Avondale hosts Youth Rally

Around 600 young people attended the North New South Wales (NNSW) Conference Youth Rally on 24 March, held at Avondale College’s audo. The program featured musical items, drama, videos and a presentation from Buell Fogg. The theme of the program was “The God Without Limitations.” Buell spoke about David and Goliath, reframing it in what Pastor Jeff Parker, Director of Youth Ministries for the NNSW Conference, describes as a “pretty powerful way.”

“Hopefully people took away something from the program,” he adds. “Buell threw out some challenges, and gave a powerful reminder about putting on your own ‘armour’ — the unique armour that God has developed for each person. There are many surprises that God will pour out for us, even though we sometimes try to limit Him.”

An offering for the World Changers Bible Project (WCBP) was collected at the rally, with $1905 raised. Pastor Nick Kross, Director of Youth Ministries for the South Pacific Division, says, “The $1905 raised translates into another 381 Bible kits for our young adults in the South Pacific. Including the NNSW Youth Rally offering, we now have $420,635, which will purchase 84,127 Bible kits. There has been HUGE support from the North New South Wales Conference church membership including several local churches that have made it a priority, and of course the Big Camp offering from last year was the best to date. God’s wish is to see the gospel preached to the whole world, the WCBP is surely one more step in the right direction. The SPD Youth Department wish to thank the NNSW Conference for their fabulous support.”

In the afternoon following the Youth Rally, a group of more than 100 people went to Sydney as part of the “I Will Share Jesus” project (read more about it in the column to the left).

— Adele Nash

Kingscliff Church blessed by “Walk Through The Bible”

Christ’s inspiring journey on this earth was re-enacted in spectacular fashion at Kingscliff Adventist Church, with a “Walk Through the Bible” held on Sabbath, 31 March.

The key events in Jesus’ life were reprised in a two-and-a-half hour program, including His birth and baptism, the sermon-on-the-mount, the last supper, and His death and resurrection.

There were 22 scenes performed in total, accompanied by an emotive narration compiled from Ellen White’s The Desire of Ages, read by Paul Fua.

The church and church grounds provided the perfect backdrop, with the congregation following the actors from one “stage” to the next (and fortunately God keep the rain at bay for the duration)!

April Mundall from the Children’s Ministry Team at Kingscliff says that the “Walk Through the Bible” was planned especially for the many kids at the church.

“The idea was for them to feel what it was like to walk in the footsteps of Jesus,” she says. “We wanted them to see Jesus baptised, to watch Him heal the sick, to know the pain of what He suffered for us, and to feel the inexpressible joy at His resurrection. Sometimes, in this day and age, the Bible can seem like just a collection of stories. Now our children have walked the story and felt it come alive. This is a day they will never forget! Our prayer is that they will have a closer relationship with Jesus after this special event.”

With most church members choosing to be involved in some way, the cast and crew totaled more than 230, and included babies, the elderly, a horse and two lambs! An extraordinary amount of work went into the presentation, particularly in gathering and constructing the props, and making the costumes. Seven ladies (and one nineyear-old-boy) were especially busy, sewing 110 costumes over a period of just one week.

Pastor Marcus Mundall had the wonderful, but challenging, task of playing Jesus, and impressed attendees with his emotion and conviction. Youth Pastor Yong Shin Chee and Sean McGrath deserve special mention for their animated portrayal of John the Baptist and a demon-possessed man respectively.

Kingscliff Church member Lyn Penman says that the “Walk Through the Bible” was a real blessing to witness, and be a part of. “I found it really moving actually, and I even shed a few tears during one of the scenes. Plus the amount of work that went into the day was phenomenal. It’s a real credit to everyone involved,” she says. A combined lunch was held at the church afterwards, providing everyone with an opportunity to reflect on what an awesome and inspiring morning it was — and more importantly, how much Jesus loves us, and how He suffered so terribly to save us.

Carole Platt from Kingscliff Church says it was great to experience the reality of some of the events in Jesus’ ministry. “To be in the costume of the times and to relive the scenes that we have so often read about was an inspiration to me — to realise again that Jesus, although our creator God, came to this world as a ‘real’ person. His life and death saved all who would accept His salvation and changed our world forever, making it a much better place. It was an awesome way to be reminded of this,” she says.

— Summer Lockley

OUR CHURCHES

OUR CHURCHES

Maitland Church supports School Captains

Time spent at school often shapes the character of young people, but in many places the opportunities provided by an Adventist education are not available. Maitland Adventist Church recognises the involvement of families in a wide range of educational experiences, and proudly affirms its young people chosen as leaders by their peers. Kalie Etheridge (Maitland High) and Shanna Court (Ashtonfield Public) are two young ladies showing the value of Christian standards and setting fine examples as School Captains.

Maitland Church believes that prayers for children attending school are important, as the children act as a way of connecting God with others — even during school time. Both Kalie and Shanna were asked “How will being a Christian influence your role as School Captain for 2012?”

Shanna (below, right) responded, “I feel that Jesus has blessed me to be School Captain this year and I am very grateful. God is a big part of my life and I know that He will help and guide me in all my duties as School Captain. Being a Christian will influence me to be kind and caring to my peers and teachers around me, to be responsible and do my best in everything I do and to be able to show Jesus to others.”

Kalie (below, left) reflected that, “Being a Christian student in a non-Christian school can be difficult. Being a leader in a non-Christian school can be more or less so. It is an opportunity to influence others, without necessarily shouting from the rooftops, ‘What Would Jesus Do?’ I am able to influence my peers in my behavior and attitude, encouraging them to try their best and make school an opportunity, not a chore. Even so, a number of my school peers understand my beliefs and support me in my position. I am proud of this achievement and the opportunities it has laid before me and hope to be able to change Maitland High School for the better for future students.”

— Russell Schulz

Tweens Interactive starts at Central Coast Community Church

On Sabbath, 11 February, Central Coast Community Church (CCCC) started a special ministry for tweens (those in the stage between middle childhood and adolescence, typically in the range of 10 to 12 years old) called Tweens Interactive.

They had a great first week with a total of 11 tweens attending. During care and share time, the group heard about many of the tween’s first day at high school (which was a little scary for some, but fun for most) and what great things had happened over that week. It is planned that every fourth Sabbath will feature an interactive sharing time from an adult about how God has made a difference in their lives.

Rochelle Madden, CCCC’s tween ministry leader, says, “Our theme for the next three months is ‘Hearing God’s Voice,’ and each tween was given a Bible journal and a shell to remind them to listen to God’s voice each day, and to write down verses that ‘jump’ out at them as they read the Bible daily. This is a challenge to both the tweens and their leaders!”

Rochelle says, “We are also looking for God moments that happen each week to share with each other how God is working in our lives. Our tweens were also blessed by many of our teens writing encouragement notes to them as a group and individually, which meant a lot to the tweens. What a caring bunch of teens we have who are fantastic role models to the younger people in the church.”

— Rochelle Madden/CCCC News

Dora Creek Church hosts 2012 World Day of Prayer event

On Friday, 2 March, Dora Creek Adventist Church hosted the World Day of Prayer for the Morisset area. It was wonderful to see so many different denominations represented and all worshiping together.

Many of those visiting had never been inside an Adventist Church before, but were duly impressed by the congregation’s friendliness and sincerity.

The program was planned by the women of Malaysia and the theme was “Let Justice Prevail.” The guest speaker was Dr Jane Fernandez-Goldborough, who is Malaysian herself and currently a senior lecturer at Avondale College.

Local church members performed special items and the women of Dora Creek church provided a wonderful lunch. Next year, the local Anglican Church will host the World Day of Prayer event for the Morisset area.

— Gordon Howard Photos courtesy of Damien

Lismore members inspired by Evangelism Director’s sermon

The North New South Wales Conference’s new Evangelism Director Matt Parra and his wife Sherise spent the Sabbath at Lismore Adventist Church on 31 March. The Parras came to Australia from Oregon, USA, just a few months ago.

Matt’s inspiring sermon made the Lismore Church members reexamine their life-paths to see if they had profited from times of disappointment. They were encouraged to persevere with their efforts to share the Gospel.

Matt says of disappointment, “[It’s] the feeling of sadness or displeasure caused by the nonfulfillment of one’s hopes or expectations. We’ve all tasted it. The usual result of disappointment is questioning. Was God in fact leading me? How could I have been led of God when things turned out this way? Christ’s disciples were not exempt from this experience.” He adds, “We often suppose that since God has called us, we’ve got it all figured out. Actually, it’s the opposite. Our disappointments are due to misunderstandings concerning His leading — not the absence of it.

“The Christian Church was built out of the ruins of disappointment and so was the Adventist Church. In our personal lives and in our churches, let’s rise out of disappointment to be more than we could have before.”

After a fellowship lunch, Matt again guided the church members’ thoughts. This time, they not only considered their spiritual gifts, but were challenged to extend themselves and become competent enough to get out of their comfort zone and tackle unexpected tasks.

— Valerie Dunstan

Original member visits Tenterfield Church

On the first Sabbath in March, an original member of the early Tenterfield Adventist Church came to join the other two remaining original members of the church for Sabbath worship.

Lynette Eddy (nee Arthur) and Cherryl Stidolph (nee Wren) were both born the year the church was dedicated and Marie Williams (nee Schulz) was one of the original Sabbath School children. The church was constructed in 1948 and dedicated in 1949. Lynette was in town for a function, and hadn’t been to Tenterfield for 20 or so years prior to that.

— Cherryl Stidolph

OUR CHURCHES

Isaiah 58:7 concert raises funds for Kenyan orphanage

On 31 March, Hillview Adventist Church hosted a concert to raise funds for the Deal Thy Bread orphanage in Kenya. The orphanage is run by Ian Castleman, who moved from Australia to Kenya nearly 10 years ago to help disadvantaged children have a future and discover that God loves them too. The aim of the concert, which was attended by around 200 people, was to raise funds to build a dining room and a dormitory for disabled children at the orphanage, which cares for HIV/AIDS orphans and a number of children with other disabilities. A second offering was collected to help cover the costs of food, as the orphanage is in an area that has been affected by drought for the past couple of years.

Rhyll Lister, who worked to organise the concert with the help of Brian and Leoni Faull, acted as the compere, introducing items and performers. She also interviewed Ian over the phone prior to the program’s interval.

The concert featured performances from the Avondale Brass Brand, Pastor Clive and Monica Nash, The Promise, Brian Faull, Jayden Duffy, Shavaunne Newman, Renee Lis and Natalie Souradeth. The items were well-presented and enjoyed by attendees.

Rhyll says, “Beautiful music was enjoyed by all who came to the concert, and $1515 was riased for building the dining room and disabled girls’ dormitory . . . $1271 was given for food.”

— Adele Nash

Visit www.dealthybread.org.au to find out more about the orphanage or how to sponsor children living there.

From left to right: Marie Williams, Lynette Eddy and Cherryl Stidolph at Tenterfield Church, in front of the original wooden plaque that was installed at the church’s opening. The three women are the remaining original members of the church.

OUR BAPTISMS

Online connection through Kurri Kurri site leads to baptism

About two or more years ago, the Kurri Kurri Adventist Church’s webmaster was developing the web-page for the church. A woman named Melanie was one of the first contacts made through the site.

Les, the church’s webmaster, sent the contact to Pastor Mark Venz, who says, “I knocked on her door and found that Melanie wanted to learn more about Jesus. We started studies straight away. Melanie’s relationship with Jesus has always been strong, it just needed some encouragement and direction. Melanie told me that she would like to be baptised and so, with a little bit of co-ordination with the Hillview Adventist Church, we were able to arrange a date for the baptism on 24 March. You can see from the pictures that it was a happy day for Melanie.” Hillview Church pastor Fred Chileshe asked Melanie if she wanted to say a few words. The truth was that Melanie’s actions were the best testimony one can have. The Hillview Church shared a meal and welcomed her with arms wide into their family.

— Mark Venz

All Power leads to baptisms at Gosford Church

On Friday night, 16 March at 7.30pm at Gosford Adventist Church, three people who had connected with the church through last year’s All Power Seminars were baptised, with a fourth joining them for baptism following studies with the church pastor. Pastor Leo Schreven, who ran the All Power Seminars, was in Australia to conduct similar seminars at Belmont and took time out to join with Gosford Church members, friends and family to celebrate the baptisms.

Pastor Schreven spoke on the topic, “God is a name-dropper,” which was appreciated by the congregation. He then baptised the three All Power attendees — John Rosekelly, Susan Holloway and Gavin White. Paul Humphris was baptised by Pastor David Price, the minister at Gosford Church. Pastor Price is still preparing another seven people for baptism, all of who came into contact with the church through the All Power Seminars.

Pastor Schreven says of baptising John, “During the seminar a year ago, his life was touched and he began a new life following the Bible principles he had learned. Today he is living an abundant life and I had the privilege of baptising him.”

— David Price/Leo Schreven

Inverell Church celebrates baptisms of three young women

Three of Inverell Adventist Church’s young women — Tamika Findlay, and sisters

Alice and Samantha File — were baptised late last year by Pastor Keith Jackson.

The three had studied with Pastor Jackson for 12 months prior to their baptisms. Their time studying the Bible was spent in group study and alone. All three have attended Inverell Church their whole lives.

Family and friends gathered to celebrate the baptisms. Samantha and Alice’s greatgrandparents, Mr and Mrs Cecil Sparke, were members of the Inverell Church. The girls were each presented with a single rose and a special gift of a Bible from the church members.

The church enjoyed a celebratory lunch following the church service, where the girls were welcomed into fellowship.

— Dorothy Hall

Col Graham (Tamika’s grandfather) with Tamika Findlay, and Alice and Samantha File following their baptism at Inverell Adventist Church.

Jo Darby: An ADRA Connections story

Little could be more authentic than sitting with more than 500 people in a remote Malawian village, accessible only by four-wheel drive, at a makeshift, generator-powered outdoor theatre for a “sensitisation meeting” — a film screening and community discussion program raising awareness about HIV/AIDS and health-related issues.

The night was warm, the stars were out, the people were excited, and the only hitch to the otherwise successful program was the visiting snake that passed through the crowd halfway through the screening! Of course, this just added to the truly authentic African experience!

Our outdoor movie night was just one of many highlights from my two weeks travelling through Malawi and Kenya, visiting Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA) projects.

Many have asked me since returning how I would sum up the trip, what I have learnt, what stood out, what are the highlights and what did it mean to me?

Over and over again, and without hesitation, I tell people how proud I was and am of ADRA. While in Malawi and Kenya, it was clear that ADRA is highly respected — not only by the beneficiaries, but by other non-government organisations (NGOs) and the government — for their adherence to world standards and best practice in delivering aid.

I was struck by the commitment, dedication and compassion of the ADRA field workers. All the team members obviously had developed a great rapport not only with the community members but also the local authorities and government officials. I was impressed by their transparency and the level of organisation and professionalism.

Some of the most moving and significant moments from my entire two weeks were around the table sharing the morning devotion with the team in the ADRA office. To sit amongst the people who really are being the hands and feet of Christ, who really are living out Matthew 25:31-46, and who are doing it with authenticity and humility was inspiring. Seeing these individuals loving and serving so genuinely, and to the highest world standards and best practice, filled me with incredible pride — pride that ADRA is our church.

There are many things you walk away with after a once-in-a-lifetime trip such as this, but most clearly I am much more motivated to support ADRA — not just with donations, but by helping spread the word. I’d encourage each of you to get to know ADRA more, support the cause and check out the ADRA Connections program — it’s your chance to experience a trip just like mine.

— Jo Darby

Jo is a member of Wallsend Adventist Church. Visit www.adra.org.au or call 1800 24 ADRA for more information about ADRA Connections or to offer your support to ADRA’s End of Financial Year Appeal.

FEATURES

Cats and dogs in Adventist Aged Care

Moto the dog (pictured below with Esther Ferret) loves nothing more than bed-hopping in the high-care section at Avondale Adventist Aged Care Facility (AAACF). Halo the Persian cat lives with 16 residents in Avondale special-care unit ,where he receives more than his fair share of love and attention. Halo even has his own care plan — just like the other residents — to ensure he gets his vaccinations and other care requirements met.

On Monday, 26 March, AAACF launched its In Life Inclusion Strategy. This is a program designed by Avondale Residential Aged Care’s Diversional Therapist Lindl Webster to assist residents to be more socially engaged. “This is designed to reduce social isolation, which can be common in Aged Care. It is a strategy that targets those residents with mobility and cognitive issues,” states Lindl. This program is designed to provide personalised care and social stimulation to those who are least able to access it.

The Delta Dogs are a team of specially-trained and accredited dogs with handlers. These pets provide in-room stimulation to residents, and the program encourages them to reminisce about their own dogs and past memories. Some of these dogs are placed on the bed for residents to touch and feel. Moto the Dog is a favourite.

iPods within a docking station provide personalised music selection, targeting different genres, including religious, easy-listening, classical, jazz and country. Music has been used very successfully with dementia residents to reduce extreme behaviours and is in constant demand.

The My Choices Card provides a visual aid to care staff, family and friends that sets out resident lifestyle choices and resident interests. Care Manager Marlene Moodie is passionate about the need for individualised care and the need to change the way those who come in contact with residents think. She states, “We need to ensure that the passions of residents live on while they are in care. If they want five hot drinks per day and lipstick applied before breakfast, then that is what we must do. We are rolling it out in our high-care facility as these residents are seen as most at risk of becoming socially isolated.”

The In life Inclusion project will continue to grow over the coming years. It is very much a team approach lead by Lindl, Marlene and the care staff, but it also include family, friends and the community. Future options include providing an audience for students in the performing arts at Avondale School. Pastor Kenn Duke, the village’s chaplain, is currently working on a YouTube channel with residents and staff to create a playlist and original content. Avondale Retirement Village now was two Skype usernames so family and friends can make visual and verbal contact with the residents.

— Lorin Bradford

POSITIONS VACANT

Avondale Adventist Aged Care

Cert III in aged care nursing, Cert IV (team leader), endorsed enrolled nurse (team leader), CSEs, Cleaners

Due to the recent increase of staffing levels at Avondale Adventist Aged Care (AAAC), staff with the following qualifications are sought: Cert III in aged care nursing, Cert IV (team leader), endorsed enrolled nurse (team leader) and CSEs.

Avondale Adventist Aged Care offers a buddy system, extensive levels of inhouse training, the opportunity to gain varied experience, career progression, specialisation opportunities and salary sacrifice options.

Direct enquiries to: Recruitment Manager, Avondale Adventist Aged Care Facility, PO Box 105, Cooranbong NSW 2265. Alternatively, call (02) 4977 0148 or email recruitment@aacnnsw.com.au.

May 2013

Plan ahead for the 2013 Best of Europe Tour with Pastor Harold Harker. Leaving mid-May, the two-week tour of Switzerland, Austria and the Dolomites of Italy concludes in Vienna. Optional extra seven-day cruise from Venice to Greek Islands and return to Venice.

This will be a holiday you will never forget! For more information, contact Pastor Harold Harker on (02) 4385 8282 or email harold.harker@gmail.com.